bush overperformed, no foreign policy experience, he did very well. and the bush team outspun the gore people because they pushed their story line. and you went from, you know, minus five before the debate to plus a couple afterward and went on to win that disputed victory. but yes, romney can do it, he was a smart guy, good in most of the debates for the republicans. on the other hand, obama's pretty smart too and there's not much expectation to think he's going to screw up. >> what about, john, playing to that dull incompetent thing? he said in his convention speech. he said, look, i'm not going to heal the world, not going to part the seas, i want to help you and your family. the message being maybe i'm not as charismatic, i'm not a superstar the way many of you feel about this man, but i'm a businessman and i want to save you from what's happening to this economy. doesn't he play it down the middle that way? >> that's always been the whole card he's had. but he's got to project the idea that he is competent, he is fluent in creating jobs and expan